FAQs

Our team is always ready to answer any questions you have and get you up to speed!

As far as fixing roofs is concerned, many details and nuances must be paid attention to. We find that many of our customers know some of these, and so we get asked a lot of questions all the time. We have compiled a Super List of Frequently Asked Questions to make life easier for our clients. Browse through this page to see if your queries get resolved and if they don’t, feel free to get in touch with us.

Q: How do I tell if my flat roof needs repairing?
A: We find that many people neglect their roofing system until the damage is already done – whether it be a leaking surface or other serious issues. Primarily, problems in your roofing system can be discovered way well before they turn into major (and expensive!) problems. If you observe cracked, warped or missing shingles or roof tiles, broken flashing, loose seams, or large amounts of shingle granules stuck in the rain gutter, then it all means that the time is well overdue for proper maintenance work for your roof. Telltale signs as cracked paint, peeling wallpaper or wall coverings, discoloured plasterboard indicate there is roof damage, and signify that there is leakage.

Q: How can I ascertain if I need to completely replace my roof?
A: There are a few ways to determine if it’s time to replace your roofing system.
Age: Roofing systems generally last around 20 years. If your flat roof gets close to this threshold period of 2 decades in age, it means it is near the end of its lifespan and possibly needs replacing.
Leaks: If some damage has happened inside your building which you can ascribe to the water damage caused by leaking of the roof, then there probably is a problem. Leaking can damage the rafters, plywood sheathing, ceilings, walls and more. Extensive structural damage can be a big headache for building owners and managers. In certain cases, it will be much cheaper to replace the whole roof, rather than doing a more expensive patch-up job.
Appearance: If you notice that the roof shingles have begun to curl, break, or warp, then it’s a good warning that it’s time for a re-roofing service.

Q: If my rooftop is leaking, is it necessary to replace the entire roof or is repairing it enough?
A: It depends. If the leak is because of a minor factor as simple faulty flashing or a small section of the roof being damaged, then you can most likely get away by repairing the source of the leak. Even in this situation, it needs to be assessed if there has been further damage to the roof. If the entire roofing system has failed due to poor installation or substandard materials, then a new roof installation will be the wisest course of action.

Q: How long will my roof system last?
A: Modern roofing systems should last from 15 to 20 years based on their construction and design. Certain roofs, chiefly clay tile, slate, and copper, can last a bit longer than that if they are regularly maintained. The lifespan of your roofing system is determined by environmental factors and weather, proper installation and design, quality of materials used, and adequate maintenance and repairs. The warranties on roofing materials can vary significantly so it is best to scrutinize the manufacturer’s warranty program before you buy anything.

Q: Will I have to replace rain gutters and downspouts also while replacing the roof?
A: If your gutters and downspouts are intact and without damage, our roofing professionals will work around them. To avoid damaging them, we normally will not remove and reinstall them once your roof is complete. If your gutters are in comparatively good shape but require minor repairs, that is not a problem at all for us. We at NorthCan are proud to be a full-service roofing contractor.

Q: How long will it take a roofing company to install my new roof?
A: Several factors and nuances affect all roofing projects, including weather, whether or not there is a second layer to remove and more. But normally, our contractors complete the work with your new roof – from removing the old roof to the post-installation cleanup – in three to four days. During the entire re-roofing process, we have 3 crews working on three different aspects – old roof removal, new roof installation and gutters.

Q: Can I do the roofing work myself?
A: Though it may be tempting to try and do the work all by yourself, most of the work required should not be. It requires trained and experienced professionals to safely, correctly and efficiently repair or replace roofing systems. Also, because of a lack of practical experience, if you try and do it yourself, you can damage your roof system by using improper roofing techniques and cause severe injury to yourself by falling off or through the roof.

Q: Why is my roof system leaking?
A: When it comes to roofs installed by NorthCan, all of them have a normal weathering of asphalt roof shingles. This means that no leakage is let in.
Causes: Flashings are crucial areas that must be made waterproof to avoid leaks. These are the areas most frequently identified as the causes of leakage.
Damaged shingles leave the roof exposed to leaks and should be repaired without delay. If the air conditioning and air ventilation systems are not set up and managed properly it can cause ice damming, frost and condensation stockpiling, all of which can lead to leaking.

Q: Do I need to be present at the property while the roofing work is being done?
A: No, it is not at all necessary that you are present at your building while we work. Most of our customers even trust us with the keys to their buildings. It is only a small percentage that prefers to stay and watch the progress of our work.

Q: Do you conduct free roof audits?
A: Most certainly! All you need to do is get in touch with us right away and we will come to your building and give your roof a complete checkup and a condition assessment.

Q: Are all your roofers your employees or subcontracted?
A: All our roofers are our NorthCan employees. We do not subcontract any of the work we do.